In a grand display of support for Cebu City's Sinulog Festival, PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications, Inc., played a pivotal role in enhancing the celebration. The 459th Fiesta of Señor Santo Niño saw the city alive with parades, concerts, and spirited competitions, with PLDT and Smart contributing to the festivity by fortifying communication and connectivity services.
Melvin Consunji Nubla, FVP and Head of Go-To-Market and Subscriber Management at Smart, emphasized the commitment to honoring Cebuanos' rich heritage. He highlighted the importance of fostering a relationship with loyal subscribers that goes beyond services, valuing individuality and catering to their interests throughout their digital lifestyle journey.
Ahead of Sinulog, PLDT and Smart strengthened their communication and connectivity services to ensure attendees could capture and share memorable moments seamlessly. Overseas Filipino Worker Lovey Genoguin-Ascher commended Smart's signal reliability, enabling her to stay connected with family and share festival experiences on social media.
PLDT and Smart equipped Cebu media entities and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu with fast and reliable wired and data connectivity. This facilitated smooth livestreaming of the festival's mardi gras, masses, and solemn foot processions, ensuring the celebration reached a broader audience.
Booths set up by PLDT and Smart at various points around the city provided immediate assistance to festival attendees, addressing connectivity needs. The collaboration extended to local partner establishments, where Smart offered exclusive perks and discounts to loyal customers, enhancing their overall festival experience.
Lloyd Genesiran, Junior Manager and Sinulog Festival Lead of Smart Go-to-Market and Subscriber Management, reflected on nearly a decade of Smart's participation in Visayan festivities. He emphasized the goal of making Smart a meaningful part of Cebu City and its constituents, contributing to and enhancing their Sinulog experience.
PLDT and Smart ensured that the spirit of the Sinulog Festival was shared both on-site and online. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to connect Filipinos and supports the government's overall digitalization thrust, showcasing PLDT and Smart's commitment to the community and the celebration of cultural heritage.